Welcome to Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church
Where the love of Christ builds a harbor of acceptance, inspiration,
Fellowship, service and joy.
You enrich our worship with your presence.
"When we say welcome we mean it!"
Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church invites you Live Home Church on Sunday at 2:00 pm
Time: May 24, 2020 02:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
From your computer, pad or smart phone – Click on link to Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83861760708
If this is your first time, then pre load the Zoom App. Or go to https://zoom.us/join and enter the meeting ID #
Meeting ID: 838 6176 0708
For Phone Log In: 1-669-900-9128 #, 838 6176 0708#
It is not possible to pass the collection plate at our live home church. We do need your contributions. Please sent your check, made out to Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church to:
Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church
c/o Monty Rice
1298 Warren Rd.
Cambria, CA 93428
If this is your first time here, WELCOME.
If you have a prayer request, please send to:
Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church-PCUSA
2700 Eton Rd. • Cambria, CA 93428
Call or text 805.395.1521
Info:
The Gathering
Prelude Deborah Farrand
At the tolling of the bell, please quietly prepare your heart for worship.
Meditation Music Deborah Farrand
Welcome and Announcements
† Call to Worship
Leader: The God of all creation reigns in Glory
People: He calls the people before Him.
Leader: This day is set aside,
People: It is our day of rest. It is the Sabbath.
Unison: We gather in the Lord’s presence. We come to pray, praise, learn, and worship. Glorious is our Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
† The Psalm Prayer-from Psalm 68 (In unison)
God arises and enemies scatter. The wicked perish and the righteous rejoice. We sing to God. God is awesome. He is a father to the fatherless, a defender of the weak. We rejoice. We proclaim the power of God. Kingdoms of the earth sing praise to the Lord. We lift His name and are happy and joyful. Amen.
†Hymn of Adoration # 693 The Gift of Love
Prayer of Confession (In unison)
Gracious Lord, it is love that we often forget-the love of Christ. We hear with our ears, and even know in our heart, but there are times when we let it slip as our guid-ing light. Emotion, fear, exhaustion and even our pride can cause us to miss times and places where we can be the love of Christ, where we can share His light, where we can help to bring peace, and a healing forgiveness. Lord please hear our silent confession… (In unison) We pray that you will awaken us to the Spirit, and then guide our hearts to live and serve as Jesus did and to grow into His Holy love.
In his precious name we pray. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon New Creations in Christ
†The Sharing of the Peace
The Word
Hymn of Preparation #452 Open the Eyes of My Heart
Leader: Listen for the Word of God.
People: Our ears are open and our hearts are ready to receive.
Scripture: John 14:15-31
Leader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Sermon: Memory Maker The Rev. Eugenia Gamble
Hymn of Response # 408 There’s a Sweet, Sweet, Spirit
The Prayers
Call to Prayer Hymn #466 Come and Fill Our Hearts with Your Peace
Prayers of the People
The Lord’s Prayer
Response to Prayer Hymn #710 We Are an Offering
The Offering
Prayer of Dedication
† Hymn of Parting # 291 Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness
† Charge and Benediction
†=If able, please stand
CURRENT PRAYER LIST
Members of our community that are lonely, hungry and sick.
If you would like to support the work of Safe Harbor Church financially:
Tax deductible checks may be made to Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church.
During our period of isolation, please mail checks to:
Monty Rice 1298 Warren Road Cambria CA 93428
WHEN WE SAY “ WELCOME! ”, WE MEAN IT!
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Mentoring Pastors The Rev. Eugenia A. Gamble
Music Team Deborah Farrand Wink Farrand Michael Green Liturgists’ Coordinator Patti Ropp
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Leadership Tom and Lana Cochrun Monty and Julia Rice Patti Ropp Michelle Costa Jeff Rodriguez |
John 14:15-27….Jesus’ Promise of the Holy Spirit…May 24, 2020 Easter 7
John 14:15) “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16) And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. 17) This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. 18) “I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. 19) In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. 20) On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21) They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.” 22) Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23) Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24) Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me. 25) I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26) But the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. 27) Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. “
Background: This teaching comes from the long and beautiful section of John’s Gospel in which Jesus is trying to prepare his disciples for his departure. They have no idea what he is trying to tell them. They still, amazingly, believe that he is largely speaking to them in literal terms. More and more they must be recognizing that the Messiah, long believed to be a mighty worldly military leader, was, in Jesus, very different indeed. Yet, they can’t quite break out of their old way of thinking to grasp the depth of Jesus’ new way. But they are trying. The movement is in trouble. Their enemies are abounding. They must sense that things are at a crisis point and they want, as we so often do, clear and direct instructions. The symbolism and spiritual talk seems to leave them more at sea. Into their feelings of confusion, despair and devotion, Jesus tells them that no matter what happens all will not be lost. They will not be abandoned and even greater things lie ahead than they could ever imagine. Even as he so painfully completes him mission on earth and their relationship with him changes, they will have a powerful and previously unknown advocate in the Holy Spirit.
Word Study
Vs. 15 – love – throughout this passage the Greek word agape is translated as love. The word does not describe a feeling, but, rather, describes an on going choice to be for the beloved and to work for the good of the beloved.
Keep – means to fulfill, to guard from harm
My commandments – commandments that are characteristic of Jesus.
Vs. 16 – ask – a word often used by Jesus’ in talking about prayer.
Give – it is important to remember that the Advocate (Holy Spirit) is a great gift to us that flows from God’s love into lives prepared by obedience.
Advocate – Greek ‘Paraclete’, comforter
Vs. 17 – him – It is interesting to note that rarely in Greek, and almost never in Hebrew, is the Spirit referred to in the masculine. In Greek neuter words are usually used and in Hebrew the word itself is feminine. English just cannot capture these beautiful nuances.
Neither sees nor knows – the verb here refers both to spiritual and physical sight.
Abides with you – remains with in the sense of a constant presence
Will be in you – this could be read either as future tense or present. Jesus is telling his friends that the very Spirit of God dwells inside of them in a state of constancy and comfort.
Vs. 18 – orphans – those left destitute with no one to care for or teach them. Disciples of rabbis who died were said to be orphaned
Vs. 19 – will see me – this phrase is very uncertain. It probably refers to the time between the resurrection and the Second Coming but it is just not clear.
Vs. 20 – On that day – the time of final intervention. This verse assures us that when time is complete, all our doubts and confusion will disappear.
You will know – emphatic – you will recognize
Vs. 21 – This verse can be read in such a way as to imply that God’s love is dependent on our obedient behavior. If we are good, God loves us. If we are not, God does not. No indeed! What John is trying to say is that God’s love is experienced in Jesus. Those who reject Jesus and his Way (commandments) reject God’s love and therefore do not experience its grace and wonder. It is hard to get across in English, but this verse is an assurance and not a warning. He is trying to express the mutuality of the love between God and a believer. It is not about unbeliever’s really at all.
Keep – to both follow and protect
Vs. 22 – Judas (not Iscariot) – we don’t know exactly who this was. There are several guesses but they are just that.
Vs. 23 – keep my word – Greek from ‘logos’ – this probably refers to the totality of who Jesus is, what he teaches and the essence of God that he embodies.
Vs. 24 - …does not love me does not keep – Here Jesus makes it very clear that loving God and keeping God’s word are intimately bound up together and cannot be separated.
Questions for Personal Reflection
- Are there areas of your life in which you feel the need for an Advocate? a Comforter? How might the Holy Spirit answer that need for you? Take a moment now to speak to God about your need and ask for awareness of the Spirit’s presence inside you.
- This text asks us to consider ourselves dwelling places for God. What does it mean to you personally to believe that the Spirit of God is within you?
- Love and obedience are two sides of the same coin. Can you think of times when you proclaimed your love of Christ but were not very obedient? Can you think of times when you obeyed even when you did not feel loving or loved? What did you learn?